THE BAR
This Nottinghamshire garden room began as a shell, Howson Design project-managed the transformation from start to finish, arranging builders, electricians and a carpenter. The brief was to create a high-end games room and bar: a communal space for friends and family to get together. It needed to be somewhere to relax, have a drink, and listen to music. The client’s wish list included a copper bar, beer fridge, beer tap and dart board.
We opted for a captivating industrial theme, skillfully integrating elements of brick, wood, and pipe work. Considering the limited space available, seating became a precious commodity, prompting us to conceive a one-of-a-kind bench that I personally designed to maximiSe every inch. Drawing inspiration from the refined seating arrangements found in exclusive boutique restaurants and bars, I crafted a bespoke bench with a taller backrest ensuring unparalleled comfort. To add a touch of elegance, we carefully selected a ribbed fabric sourced from the esteemed Kirkby Design.
For convenient navigation around the confined area, we fabricated the bar off-site, meticulously designing it with a gracefully curved structure. The curvature not only enhanced accessibility, allowing effortless movement behind the bar, but also added an exquisite aesthetic touch. Crafted from gleaming copper sheeting, the top of the bar exudes an air of sophistication. To pay homage to sustainability and imbue a rustic charm, we adorned the front of the bar with reclaimed wood cladding.
The meticulous attention to detail extended to the back bar as well, where we mirrored the same design principles. A copper top was carefully chosen to harmonise with the front bar, while a matching cupboard, adorned with the same reclaimed wood cladding, elevated the overall aesthetic. This cohesive blend of materials and design elements exudes an industrial allure, transforming the space into an inviting and visually stunning environment.
The industrial-style shelving and table were custom-made on-site using bespoke materials. The table along the back wall is crafted from a solid piece of curved wood with industrial piping for support. Stools with steel bases and leather tops were sourced from Nkuku. Reclaimed scaffold boards were used on the back wall, obtained from UPCYCLE U.K. for an authentic touch. A darts platform with LED lighting was added, along with an anthracite electric radiator for year-round use. LED spotlights and pendant lighting with dimmers created a warm and ambient atmosphere. Lampshade pendants from Beauvamp were specially ordered to match the seating and cushions in bright orange and green. Light switches came from Dowsing and Reynolds, and the cushions featured exclusive fabric from Blackpop.
